Never mind Edmund Kean ! Bill Thomson and his white Austin-Healey 3000 lived there in the 60s.

Guest

09-Jan-2013 04:21

I could be wrong but I thought the wee building near the gate was the Chapel. The minister of the Gaelic Church performed the marriage in 1863. As it was referred to as Woodend Cottage also on old maps, I wonder if Mr Kean added to the original building.

AlanB Paisley

09-Jan-2013 00:32

Sorry to see the state of this property. When young I used to play in the grounds and visit Woodend as I was at school with the Bute Estate Factor's son. His family occupied the house in the 50s. Always thought that Kean's cottage was the gatehouse.

Guest

08-Jan-2013 23:39

All very interesting. Had forgotten about that house.

Derick Oaten

08-Jan-2013 21:53

Thanks Zac, I'd always imagined Kean's Cottage to be a much more simple dwelling than it is. Derick

The Traveller

08-Jan-2013 21:16

Records show the house itself is little altered from Kean's original vision, but the view has been somewhat marred by the the addition of a 3-bay timber shed by the last owner.

The estate is entered through a fine set of gate piers topped with busts of Massinger, Shakespeare, Garrick, and Kean.

The Traveller

08-Jan-2013 21:08

Wonderful stuff. I'd always been curious about this one, and what might or might not actually still be surviving there now.

Guest

08-Jan-2013 19:21

Thank you Zak, Woodend has special meaning to me,in 1863 there was a wedding

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